Charleston, SC – A national research Watchdog organization has filed
a complaint with the United States Department of Agriculture based on
information provided by a whistleblower from the Alpha-Genesis facility
in South Carolina.

The complaint alleges abuse of primates at the large facility, as
well as utilization of unqualified personnel, and negligence in the
November death of an infant primate at the facility.

“According to our source a young female primate died of negligence at
the Alpha Genesis lab late in 2007,” said Michael A. Budkie, A.H.T.,
Executive Director, SAEN. “Apparently when this animal died all of her
bones were readily visible. It appears that she had been starved.”

Other issues at the lab center around unqualified staff and the
decomposition of primates after death. According to the inside source,
primates are deliberately left outside in the elements after death to
allow partial decomposition of the corpse to prevent accurate
necropsies.

The source also alleges that management of Alpha Genesis is actively
disinterested in animal welfare. When employees raise concerns about
abuse or negligence the alleged result is termination.

Recently obtained primate intake reports from a public U./S.
University reveal that Alpha Genesis primates arrived missing multiple
fingers and/or toes, and one had specifically “ stripped hair coat on
left leg.” These are clear indications of psychological abnormality.

“So many different issues have been raised about this facility that
we believe it is time for a major investigation,” added Budkie. “We want
the truth to come out.”

SAEN has contacted the USDA to demand an investigation of all
allegations of abuse and negligence while simultaneously launching an
independent probe.